Gender differences in pain and function during recovery from spinal arthrodesis surgery

2017

Background

Stereotypes exist in modern society regarding perceived gender differences involving the perception of pain. Some studies suggest that women have a lower tolerance to painful mechanical, electrical, and thermal stimuli than men. Certain spinal pathologies are more prevalent among females, but the understanding of gender differences in the response to pain has not been well studied after spinal arthrodesis.

Analysis of gender specific outcomes revealed women had more pre-op pain but improved more at 6 weeks and 1 year than men, regardless of diagnosis, age, or levels fused. F had more pre-op co-morbidities and M had higher BMI, both correlating with outcomes. F also had more complications. Gender differences exist in the recovery experience after spinal arthrodesis.